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Rather blustery at Callanish

I decided, at the last minute, that there was just enough time to squeeze in a visit to the Callanish Stones over the Bank Holiday, I then realised if I travelled over night I could make up enough time to walk Kilmartin Glen on the way up there. And so it was, I made the bed up in the van, threw some food in the fridge, packed my wellies and joined the A1 just North of Peterborough shortly after 10.00pm. I briefly stopped just short of Kilmartin to look at the standing stones around Bridgend and Dunadd Castle although it was still dark, blowing a gale and pouring down and so I didn't really get much done, and being 6.00am there wasnt much light. Drove on a little further to the start of my walk at the Ballymeanoch Stones and Duncraigaig Cairn, up to Ri Cruin and on to Temple Wood. From there past the various ' Nethers' and finally Glebe Cairn behind the church and back to the van via the Nether Largie standing stones and stone row. This is a fabulous walk through history and didn't take as long as I had expected. Temple Wood was particularly fascinating although so well restored it wouldn't look out of place on a roundabout leading into Milton Keynes. Not a sole around as you might expect early on a Sunday morning and really pleased to have spent time there. Onward through Skye and onto the ferry at Uig for a very rough crossing to Harris and Lewis. The morning didn't start well, gale force winds, heavy rain and hail, however, no option but to press on. Callanish 1 was even more inspiring than I had expected, a real temple of its time and definitely felt like there was some huge religious significance to it regardless of all the theories from a Astronomical Clock to a Time Machine. Callanish 2 was a wonderful place to be as you look out over both 1 and 3 and it all feels very interconnected. Both were under water and the wind so strong you needed to cling to the stones for protection. Callanish 4 was just about possible with wellies, however, the more remote sites were going to have to wait for another visit, for which I cannot wait.
I went on to see the huge Truishal Standing Stone and a few other sites, however, with little time left I went back to Callanish 1 to spend more time in the central stones and contemplate how the site had been developed over 1000 years and the changes in the outlook and religion of the people involved.
Dreaming over, another sick inducing crossing of the Minch and a very long drive home. Would I do it again? Tomorrow (subject to permission from my long suffering wife)

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Posted by costaexpress
6th May 2016ce


Comments (5)

Good grief, that's some last minute trip! thesweetcheat Posted by thesweetcheat
6th May 2016ce
Always enjoy your blog posts costaexpress!

I was at Callanish the week before last (part of our Honeymoon) and a windy old day it was too.
I picked up a couple of Margaret Curtis' publications while there, a bit on the pricey side but a great read. Worth getting hold of.
We too caught the Uig-Tarbert ferry, but the minch was calm on both crossings luckily.

We had spent the week before that on Mull, fantastic sites, scenery & wildlife. The weather was beautiful there, but that didn't stop us getting covered in shite while visiting Lochbuie, but thats another story.

I agree with the comment about Templewood and Milton Keynes! Did you know (you probably do) they have 'Boulevards' named Midsummer, Silbury & Avebury in MK?
Evergreen Dazed Posted by Evergreen Dazed
7th May 2016ce
What a great place to spend an honeymoon. There is a great 'garden centre' stone circle on the roundabout just East of Grantham where the A52, B1176 and the B6403 meet (can be seen on google street view), sure there must be plenty more around the country and of course no offence to MK for any members living there (love my visits to your football stadium when hosting Peterborough) Posted by costaexpress
7th May 2016ce
Wow! What a wonderfully spontaneous trip, I'm impressed. I imagine the rough crossing from Skye must have been better and quicker that going from Ullapool across the Minch. I was very sea-sick when I did it three years ago.

Congratulations Evergreen Dazed - you got married. Impressed again (and with your choice of honeymoon).
tjj Posted by tjj
7th May 2016ce
Thank you! Yes, it was fantastic. Coming back to the reality of work etc was very difficult indeed.
Still, we've just this minute got back from a day in Avebury (where I bought Steves book) so it's not all bad. There was a bit of rain in the afternoon which meant my NT carrot cake got a bit soggy, but it's been sunny for the most part. Went up to Avebury down again this time, I like it over there.
I never tire of going to Avebury.
Evergreen Dazed Posted by Evergreen Dazed
7th May 2016ce
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